The Best Nootropics For Focus

Nootropics help people to improve their focus, concentration, health, and memory. Nootropic supplements are not used by a specific age group people, people of all age group around the world can use this smart drug to boost their mental performance. People like young adults, students, entrepreneurs and working professionals are using this supplement for a brain boost to speak up. Those who are suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer’s, ADHD can use nootropic for focus and concentration.

There is not a single best nootropic supplement in the market. You can find a number of these smart drugs on the market, and they all are giving perfect work for their users. These smart drugs are coming in different shapes like someone are like capsule or pills and some in a powder shape.

In this article, we will discuss different types of top supplements for focus and concentration.

What Is Concentration? Where Does It Come From?

Concentration can be defined as the ability to focus one’s mental effort on one specific task. This seems simple and straightforward, but the fact of the matter is that nearly 40% of the time when we’re doing something, we are unable to fully concentrate on the task at hand.

Inside our brains, there is a constant flux between 2 brain systems commonly referred to as the reflective and automatic systems.

The Automatic System

The Reflective System

This is of course all of our automatic responses to stimuli. When our phone pings we automatically stop what we’re doing to look down at it, when we’re tying our shoes we automatically do so without thinking much about it at all. When this system is active MRI scans show surges of activity in the parietal cortex portion of the brain.

This is the system we use when doing more complex tasks that require us to focus our mental power in greater detail. When this system is active, MRI scans show heightened activity in the prefrontal cortex, as well as distribution of activity throughout the higher brain centers.

In states of concentration, we should expect to see this system taking dominance, therefore, identifying the nootropics that increase activity in this area of the brain is a good indication of its ability to stimulate concentration.

How Nootropics Affect These Concentration Systems

Since the reflective system is so closely associated with concentration, the goal is to reduce the automatic system dominance and promote the reflective system while we are performing a given task.

Phosphatidylserine

Introduction

There are many health benefits of using phosphatidylserine, and this is highly prevalent in the cell membranes of neurons in the human brain. It also plays an important role in the maintenance and growth of neurons. It can help you to improve the symptoms of ADHD, increase focus, boost memory and it offers a wide range of cognition as well.

Mechanism

Phosphatidylserine is the building block of healthy cell membranes and an important nutrient for improving focus and optimizing brain function. Due to the dietary abnormalities, many people around the world are deficient in phosphatidylserine, and they don’t even know about it.

Usage

The standard dosage for this nootropics for focus is between 100 – 500 mg per day. We recommend to take one’s daily Phosphatidylserine dosage over 2-3 sittings.

Alpha GPC

Introduction

Alpha CPC is a choline source which helps to increase the levels of learning neurotransmitter in the brain. Like phosphatidylserine, many people are also deficient in choline intake through food which can result in the memory and learning problems later in life. Health professional called fish as brain food because fish is high in choline and when consumed, it raises the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Alpha GPC is beneficial for neuroprotection, memory formation, mood and mental endurance.

Mechanism

The mechanism of work for Alpha GPC is absorption into the bloodstream. After that Alpha GPC can easily access over the blood-brain barrier and reaches central nervous system.

Usage

The standard daily dosage for Alpha GPC is between 300mg to 1,200mg per day. If you just start to take this nootropics you should begin with 300 mg per day taken in 2 sittings each of 150 mg. If you can’t find pills of this nootropics you should better use powder version.

Huperzine A

Introduction

Huperzine A is, an herbal compound and it is extracted from famous chinse club moss, a fir moss plant used in chinses medicine for many years. Like Alpha GPC, it benefits the brain by helping to boost the levels of acetylcholine. It will help to boost the level of focus and concentration and also improve the memory.

Mechanism

Both Alpha GPC and Huperzine A considered as cholinergic in nature, but Huperzine A is not a choline, and it is an Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Huperzine A blocks the action of cholinesterase and thus increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Huperzine A is an NMDA receptor antagonist to some extent.

Usage

Daily dosage varies between 50 and 200 mg. It’s recommended to take this nootropics twice a day, each serving should not exceed 100 mg. A single dose stays in the body for 24 hrs.

L-Theanine

Introduction

L-Theanine is a non-essential amino acid which is found in Camellia sinensis, and its leaves are used to make the tea. The reason why most of the people take L-Theanine for focus by stacking it with caffeine because caffeine provides the energy boost, so people can gain more focus and concentration. If you are using L-Theanine for anxiety, stress, focus, or depression, always make sure to adjust your dosage according to your tolerance.

Mechanism

L-Theanine helps to reduce the stress levels by increasing the concentration of serotonin in the blood. Serotonin and do pamine are the two chemicals that help to maintain the mood and motivation balance.

Usage

The best dosage of L-Theanine is about 100-200 mg a day split into 2-3 servings. Still some people use 300 or even 400 mg per day. With bigger dosage your L-Theanine stimulates proteins growth. Don’t forget that this nootropics contains in tea and coffee. One cup of black tea contains about 20 mg of this substance.

Aniracetam

Introduction

Aniracetam is a lipid-soluble nootropic of the racetam chemical class which is known for boosting mental energy and to improve holistic and thinking. It is also good option to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. The neurotransmitters are playing a key role in plasticity and synaptic transmission in the brain. The improvements in the process oа neurotransmission by Aniracetam will allow better focus, concentration and memory abilities in the user. It also has benefits as it helps to reduce the stress levels, reduced damage done to the cognitive process. Aniracetam is commonly used to promote productivity, focus, and concentration among students and business professionals alike.

Mechanism

Aniracetam is considered to be an ampakine. This means that it works by stimulating the AMPA receptors in the brain, which have a high prevalence in the prefrontal cortex region. These receptors respond to glutamate which is a neurostimulatory compound. This is why aniracetam (as well as many of the other racetams) are so effective at promoting a state of concentration.

Usage

The recommended dose for aniracetam is 1-1.5 g per day. Just like piracetam, it’s recommended to split the daily dosage into 2-3 servings for better effects. Take aniracetam as a capsule, in a smoothie or shake, or mixed in water or juice.

Pramiracetam

Introduction

Pramiracetam is another popular nootropic supplement used for focus, and concentration improvements and its effect are same as Aniracetam. It helps to lower the stress levels and improves your mental alertness. It also enhances your memory and learning capabilities, and it is 10-30 times stronger than Aniracetam.

Mechanism

The mechanism of Pramiracetam are not studied enough but it appears to improve high-affinity choline uptake. Its effects are similar to the ones of piracetam and other racetam.

Usage

Standard serving is about 300-400 mg, and can be taken twice of thrice a day. So the daily dosage for a human is between 600 and 1200 mg. The latest research results didn’t provide the answer if the dosage of 1200 mg is the optimal one but it doesn’t cause any side-effects commonly.

Noopept

Introduction

Noopept is one of the famous and best supplements for focus and concentration. It is the most powerful synthetic brain-boosting nootropic discovered by neuroscientists.

Mechanism

It has an association with Piracetam, but according to some studies, it might be thousand times stronger than many of the others cognitive supplements in the racetam family. Nootropic provides you much-improved ability to learn, rapid data processing, concentration and more efficient neurotransmission.

Usage

The safe and at the same time effective daily dosage of Noopept is between 10 and 40 mg on a daily basis. It’s recommended to split this dosage into three equal servings to take throughout a day.

Phenylpiracetam

Introduction

Phenylpiracetam is the supplement that helps you focus and concentration. This drug comes in both capsule and powder form, and it is best known for its ability to decrease the speed and negative effects of cognitive decline. According to animal research compound, Phenylpiracetam has the capacity to act as an antidepressant, and it helps to reduce anxiety and treat psychotic disorders. When it is used in healthy individuals, it improves focus, concentration, cognitive function and memory due to psychostimulatory properties.

People that use this supplement will experience concentrate, boosts their capacity for learning, and they can retain information.

Mechanism

As per many other nootropics for focus the exact mechanisms of action are not clear. Still it’s stated that Phenylpiracetam provides the following effects:

Increase the level of serotonin and do pamine in a human organism.

Inhibiting do pamine transporters.

Selectively decrease the activity level of motor cortical neurons.

Empowering brain alpha/beta waves.

Usage

Standard daily dosage is from 100 to 200 mg split into 2 servings. Taking this substance with other nootropics, caffeine, fish oil or vitamins increases the benefits it can provide.

Modafinil

Introduction

Modafinil is the considered as the best smart drug nootropic when it comes to focus and concentration. It is best for those people who suffer from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy. This smart drug helps its users with an ability to focus on the tasks, and it also improves the mood, reduces exhaustion and makes your more vigilant. This supplement is very popular among the college students who use it to get an edge in their studies. It has no side effects, so it is dependable for students.

Mechanism

The exact mechanisms are unclear but Modafinil appears to reuptake of do pamine by binding to the reuptake pump.

Usage

The standard dose for Modafinil is 200 mg per day. It usually takes 45-60 minutes for this substance to start work in your organism.

Adrafinil

Introduction

Adrafinil is a nootropic drug which acts as a precursor to Modafinil. Adrafinil increases the concentration level in the human body once it is ingested. Regular use of Adrafinil will help the user to improve wakefulness, and you can stay alert when you need to. Like other supplements, Adrafinil also helps to develop better memory and concentration. It has some of the unknown effects if you use it longer.

Mechanism

Adrafinil is a prodrug that means it is metabolized from inactive form into a pharmacologically active drug – Modafinil – withing the body.

Usage

As a beginner, it’s recommended that you start with no more than 200 mg. Still the daily dosage should not exceed 1200 mg. It takes time for this nootropic to accumulate to active levels in the bloodstream. Usually it takes 45-60 minutes.

Magnesium Threonate

Introduction

Magnesium threonate is a popular form of magnesium that has the ability to pass through the blood brain barrier. This allows it to reach the brain directly to exert its effects. Magnesium is considered a staple for nootropic formulas aimed at improving concentration and focus. In fact, one of the primary side effects of magnesium deficiency is difficulty concentrating.

Mechanism

Magnesium has been shown to increase the activity of the prefrontal cortex (seen through increased levels of NMDA and BDNF receptors).

As this is understood to be the center of the reflective system of the brain, it’s clear to see the beneficial effects magnesium has on concentration and focus.

Usage

Typical dosage for an adult is 200-400 mg per day. Men can take to 400 mg per day when women are recommended not to take more than 300 mg per day. Usually Magnesium threonate is stacked with calcium for better effects and improving concentration and focus.

Recommended Dosage for Focus Nootropics

Nootropic

Daily Dosage

Phosphatidylserine

100-1500 mg

Alpha GPC

300-1200 mg

Huperzine A

50-200 mg

L-Theanine

100-200 mg

Aniracetam

1 -1.5 g

Pramiracetam

600-1200 mg

Noopept

10-40 mg

Phenylpiracetam

100-200 mg

Modafinil

200 mg

Adrafinil

200-1200 mg

Magnesium threonate

200-400 mg (400 for men, 300 for women)

Conclusion

Using nootropics to promote concentration is not a new concept, and is something researchers have been interested in for decades. Our understanding of neuroscience is constantly improving, giving us new insights into the ways nootropics affect our brains and how we can use them to our advantage.

With our current understanding of how concentration works in the human brain, its becoming much more clear to identify how a particular substances can promote concentration in the human brain. It’s likely that we’ll see a lot more development in this area over the next few decades.